Modular data center without active cooling

ABSTRACT

A modular computing system for a data center includes one or more data center modules including rack computer systems. An electrical module is coupled to the data center modules and provides electrical power to computer systems in the data center modules. The data center modules do not include any internal active cooling systems and cannot be coupled with any external active cooling systems. A data center module directs ambient air to flow into intake air plenums extending along intake sides of the rows of racks, through the rows of racks into exhaust plenums extending along exhaust sides of the rows of racks, and out into the ambient environment to cool computer systems in the racks. Directed airflow can be lateral, vertical, at least partially driven by air buoyancy gradients, at least partially induced by air moving devices internal to computer systems in the rows of racks, thereof, etc.

BACKGROUND

Organizations such as on-line retailers, Internet service providers,search providers, financial institutions, universities, and othercomputing-intensive organizations often conduct computer operations fromlarge scale computing facilities. Such computing facilities house andaccommodate a large amount of server, network, and computer equipment toprocess, store, and exchange data as needed to carry out anorganization's operations. Typically, a computer room of a computingfacility includes many server racks. Each server rack, in turn, includesmany servers and associated computer equipment.

Because a computing facility may contain a large number of servers, alarge amount of electrical power may be required to operate thefacility. In addition, the electrical power is distributed to a largenumber of locations spread throughout the computer room (e.g., manyracks spaced from one another, and many servers in each rack). Usually,a facility receives a power feed at a relatively high voltage. Thispower feed is stepped down to a lower voltage (e.g., 110V). A network ofcabling, bus bars, power connectors, and power distribution units, isused to deliver the power at the lower voltage to numerous specificcomponents in the facility.

Computer systems typically include a number of components that generatewaste heat. Such components include printed circuit boards, mass storagedevices, power supplies, and processors. For example, some computerswith multiple processors may generate 250 watts of waste heat. Someknown computer systems include a plurality of such larger,multiple-processor computers that are configured into rack-mountedcomponents, and then are subsequently positioned within a rackingsystem. Some known racking systems include 40 such rack-mountedcomponents and such racking systems will therefore generate as much as10 kilowatts of waste heat. Moreover, some known data centers include aplurality of such racking systems. Some known data centers includemethods and apparatus that facilitate waste heat removal from aplurality of racking systems, typically by circulating air through oneor more of the rack systems.

The amount of computing capacity needed for any given data center maychange rapidly as business needs dictate. Most often, there is a needfor increased computing capacity at a location. Initially providingcomputing capacity in a data center, or expanding the existing capacityof a data center (in the form of additional servers, for example), isresource-intensive and may take many months to effect. Substantial timeand resources are typically required to design and build a data center(or expansion thereof), lay cables, install racks and cooling systems.Additional time and resources are typically needed to conductinspections and obtain certifications and approvals, such as forelectrical and HVAC systems.

Waste heat removal systems often use mechanical systems that use movingparts to facilitate waste heat removal from the data centers. Forexample, some waste heat removal systems in some data centers mayutilize blowers, fans, or the like to induce one or more flows of air,including exhaust air, to transport waste heat out of the data center.Such systems usually consume electricity and may themselves generatewaste heat, further increasing the amount of waste heat that must beremoved from the data center and necessitating the mechanical systems tobe enlarged to handle the greater waste heat load. Furthermore, due tohaving moving parts, such systems are subject to wear and often requireperiodic maintenance and replacement of components to maintain heatremoval capabilities. In addition, mechanical systems impose additionalcomplexity into deployment and operation of computing capacity, asmechanical systems require time and expenditure to be installed, coupledto heat producing components to be cooled by the mechanical systems,coupled to power sources, and maintained. Because heat producing systemswhich require mechanical systems to operate, deployment of such heatproducing systems may necessarily require the presence, or deploymentof, such mechanical systems to provide cooling of the heat producingsystems. As a result, the ability to rapidly increase or decreasecomputing capacity at a location, may at least partially depend upon anability to rapidly deploy, operate, remove, etc. one or more mechanicalsystems to provide cooling to the computing capacity at the location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a data center site includingdata center modules and electrical modules which provide modularcomputing capacity with a data center hall configured to providepermanent computing capacity, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an interior of a data centermodule which includes one or more rows of rack computer systems,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3A-B illustrate perspective front and rear views of a data centermodule configured to direct a lateral flow of air through the moduleinterior to remove heat from one or more rows of rack computer systems,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3C illustrates an orthogonal view of a data center modulecomprising a scoop assembly coupled to a data center module housing,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of an interior of a data center moduleconfigured to direct a lateral flow of air through the module interiorto remove heat from one or more rows of rack computer systems, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of an interior of a data center moduleincluding a row of rack computer systems extending between opposite sidefaces of the module, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a data center module configuredto direct a flow of air at least partially in a vertical directionthrough the module interior, to remove heat from one or more rows ofrack computer systems, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an interior of a data center moduleconfigured to direct a flow of air at least partially vertically throughthe module interior to remove heat from a row of rack computer systems,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an interior of a data center moduleconfigured to direct two flows of air at least partially verticallythrough the module interior, via two separate intake air plenums onopposite sides of one or more rows of rack computer systems, to removeheat from the one or more rows of rack computer systems, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of an interior of a data center moduleconfigured to direct two lateral flows of air laterally through twoseparate intake air plenums on opposite sides of two separate rows ofrack computer systems, and vertically through a common exhaust airplenum, to remove heat from the two rows of rack computer systems,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of an interior of a data center moduleconfigured to at least partially induce airflow through the moduleinterior to remove heat from one or more rows of rack computer systems,based at least in part upon operation of one or more air moving devicesassociated with the one or more rows of rack computer systems, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates providing computing capacity, independently ofactive cooling, via a modular data center computing system, according tosome embodiments.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description orthe claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is usedin a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), ratherthan the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words“include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including, but not limitedto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of a modular system for a data center are disclosed.According to one embodiment, a modular computing system for a datacenter includes one or more data center modules, which include a modulehosing and a row of rack computer systems, and one or more electricalmodules coupled to one or more of the data center modules. The modulehousing includes a front face, a rear face, and opposite side faces. Therow of rack computer systems extends between opposite side faces in aninterior of the module housing, and each of the rack computer systemsincludes a front face proximate to the front face and a rear faceproximate to the rear face. An electrical module provides electricalpower to a rack computer system in the coupled data center modules. Eachdata center module does not include any connections to any activecooling system and removes heat from the rack computer systems in thedata center module independently of any active cooling system. Such heatremoval includes directing a flow of ambient air from an ambientenvironment, through the front face, through the row of rack computersystems from the front face to the rear face, and back into the ambientenvironment via the rear face.

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a data center modulewhich does not include any active cooling system connections andprovides computing capacity independently of any active cooling system.Such a data center module includes a module housing, a row of rackcomputer systems, an intake air opening, and an exhaust air opening. Thehousing at least partially encompasses a module interior. The row ofrack computer systems extends, in the module interior, between oppositeside faces of the module housing. The intake air opening directs airfrom an ambient environment into an intake plenum of the module interiorwhich is proximate to an intake end of the row of rack computer systems.The exhaust air opening direct airs, from an exhaust plenum which isproximate to an exhaust end of the row of rack computer systems, out ofthe module interior and into the ambient environment. To providecomputing capacity independently of any active cooling system, the datacenter module directs a flow of ambient air from the ambientenvironment, through the intake air opening into the intake plenum, fromthe intake plenum to the exhaust plenum through one or more rackcomputer systems in the row of rack computer systems, and through theexhaust air opening from the exhaust plenum to the ambient environment.

According to one embodiment, a method of providing computing capacityincludes positioning one or more pre-fabricated data center modulescomprising one or more rack computer systems at a data center site,coupling one or more pre-fabricated electrical modules to at least oneof the data center modules, and operating a pre-fabricated data centermodule at the site to provide computing capacity, at the data centersite, independently of any active cooling system. The pre-fabricateddata center modules do not include any active cooling system connectionsand provide computing capacity independently of any active coolingsystem. The electrical modules provide one or more of electrical powersupport and network communication support to at least one rack computersystem in one or more of the data center modules.

As used herein, an “aisle” means a space next to one or more racks.

As used herein, “ambient” refers to a condition of outside air at thelocation of a system or data center. An ambient temperature may betaken, for example, at or near an intake hood of an air handling system.

As used herein, “computing” includes any operations that can beperformed by a computer, such as computation, data storage, dataretrieval, or communications.

As used herein, “data center” includes any facility or portion of afacility in which computer operations are carried out. A data center mayinclude servers dedicated to specific functions or serving multiplefunctions. Examples of computer operations include informationprocessing, communications, simulations, and operational control.

As used herein, “computer room” means a room of a building in whichcomputer systems, such as rack-mounted servers, are operated.

As used herein, “computer system” includes any of various computersystems or components thereof. One example of a computer system is arack-mounted server. As used herein, the term computer is not limited tojust those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, butbroadly refers to a processor, a server, a microcontroller, amicrocomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an applicationspecific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits, and theseterms are used interchangeably herein. In the various embodiments,memory may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable medium,such as a random access memory (RAM). Alternatively, a compact disc-readonly memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digitalversatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, additional input channelsmay include computer peripherals associated with an operator interfacesuch as a mouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computerperipherals may also be used that may include, for example, a scanner.Furthermore, in the some embodiments, additional output channels mayinclude an operator interface monitor and/or a printer.

As used herein, “data center module” means a module that includes, or issuitable for housing and/or physically supporting, one or more computersystems that can provide computing resources for a data center.

As used herein, “infrastructure module” means a module that provides oneor more types of infrastructure support to systems or componentsexternal to the infrastructure module. Such types of infrastructuresupport can include electrical power support provided via distributionof electrical power, network communication support provided viacommunicative coupling of one or more systems or components with one ormore communication networks, some combination thereof, etc. Aninfrastructure module can include one or more of an electrical module,network communication module, etc.

As used herein, “electrical module” means a module that distributeselectrical power to systems or components external to the electricalmodule.

As used herein, “network communication module” means a module whichcommunicatively couples one or more systems or components external tothe network communication module with one or more communicationnetworks.

As used herein, “external cooling system” means a cooling systemexternal to a modular computing system. For example, an external coolingsystem may be a chilled water system that is coupled to a modularcomputing system. An external cooling system may be located inside afacility or outdoors.

As used herein, a “free cooling” includes operation in which an airhandling system pulls air at least partially from an external source(such as air outside a facility) and/or a return from a computer room,and forces the air to electronic equipment without active chilling inthe air-handling sub-system.

As used herein, “active cooling”, “active chilling”, etc. refers tocooling of air by a process which involves transferring heat from theair to one or more other fluids which are separate from the air. Suchother fluids can include water, various coolants, refrigerants, somecombination thereof, etc. Active cooling systems can include heatexchangers which remove heat from the one or more other fluids. Anexample of an active cooling system can include a cooling system whichincludes circulating air through a data center module to remove heatfrom heat producing components therein, and circulating a separate fluidthrough one or more pathways in the data center module, including pipes,coils, heat exchangers, etc. to cool the circulating air before the airremoves heat from such components, after the air removes heat from suchcomponents, concurrently with the air removing heat from suchcomponents, some combination thereof, etc. Another example of an activecooling system includes chilled water cooling systems. An example ofactive cooling includes cooling air by a process which includesmechanical cooling. An example of active cooling includes cooling air bya process which includes evaporative cooling.

As used herein, “mechanical cooling” means cooling of air by a processthat involves doing mechanical work on at least one other fluid, such asoccurs in vapor-compression refrigeration systems, etc.

As used herein, “evaporative cooling” means cooling of air byevaporation of liquid.

As used herein, a “module” is a component or a combination of componentsphysically coupled to one another. A module may include functionalelements and systems, such as computer systems, racks, blowers, ducts,power distribution units, fire suppression systems, and control systems,as well as structural elements, such a frame, housing, or container. Insome embodiments, a module is pre-fabricated at a location off-site froma data center.

As used herein, “movable” means a component or combination or componentshaving a container, housing, frame or other structure that allows themodule to be moved as a unit from one location to another. For example,a movable module may be moved as a unit on a flatbed trailer. In somecases, a movable module may be attached to a portion of a floor,building, or permanent structure when deployed. For example, a movablemodule may be bolted to the floor of a data center facility.

As used herein, “power distribution unit” refers to any device, module,component, or combination thereof, that can be used to distributeelectrical power. The elements of a power distribution unit may beembodied within a single component or assembly (such as a transformerand a rack power distribution unit housed in a common enclosure), or maybe distributed among two or more components or assemblies (such as atransformer and a rack power distribution unit each housed in separateenclosure, and associated cables, etc.)

As used herein, a “rack” means rack, container, frame, or other elementor combination of elements that can contain or physically support one ormore computer systems.

As used herein, a “space” means a space, area or volume.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a data center site includingdata center modules and electrical modules which provide modularcomputing capacity with a data center hall configured to providepermanent computing capacity, according to some embodiments.

Data center site 100 includes a first location in which a data centerhall 102 is located and a second location 103 in which multiple modules110, 120 are located. Such modules include data center modules 110 andinfrastructure module 120. Data center hall 102 can include one or moresets of rack computer systems included therein which can providecomputing capacity at the data center site 100. In addition, each ofdata center modules 110 can include one or more sets of rack computersystems, included therein, which can provide computing capacity at thedata center site 100.

In some embodiments, a data center hall 102 is constructed at a datacenter site 100 to provide permanent computing capacity at the site 100.A completed data center hall 102 can include one or more sets of rackcomputer systems, in an interior space therein, including one or morecomputer rooms. The sets of rack computer systems, which can include oneor more rows of rack computer systems, can perform computing operationsto provide such computing capacity. Data center hall 102, in someembodiments, includes electrical power components, including one or morepower distribution systems, to provide electrical power to the variousrack computer systems in the data center hall 102 to support computingoperations by the rack computer systems therein. Such electrical powercomponents can include various electrical power components, includingone or more transformers, generators, transfer switches, uninterruptiblepower supplies (UPSs), power distribution units (PDUs), automatictransfer switches (ATSs), etc. In addition, the data center hall 102 caninclude network communication components, including network switchdevices, console switch devices, routers, etc., which communicativelycouple the rack computer systems to a communication network to supportremote access to the rack computer systems.

In some embodiments, a fixed data center hall 102 includes one or moreair cooling systems which provide cooling of the rack computer systemsin the hall 102 via heat removal from said rack computer systems. Suchair cooling systems can include active cooling systems, which caninclude various mechanical cooling systems, evaporative cooling systems,etc.

In some embodiments, construction of hall 102, and installation ofvarious rack computer systems and supporting infrastructure, includingelectrical power components, network communication components, aircooling components, cabling, etc., can require a considerable elapse oftime from the start of construction before the hall is actuallyconfigured to provide at least some computing capacity via installed andelectrically, cooling, network communication-supported rack computersystems. As a result, constructing data center hall 102 at site 100 mayprovide computing capacity at a rate which is less than a desired rateof computing capacity deployment at the site 100. As used hereincomputing capacity “deployment” can refer to installing one or more setsof rack computer systems and sufficient instances of supportinginfrastructure at a site so that the rack computer system can performcomputing capacity at the site. Deployment of computing capacity viahall 102, also referred to herein as “fixed computing capacity”, caninclude at least partially constructing the structure of the hall 102 atthe site 100, which can include constructing foundations, structuralsupport beams, walls, ceilings, floors, etc.; installing rack computersystems in the interior space of the hall, including one or morecomputer rooms therein; and installing one or more instances ofelectrical, network communication, air cooling, structural support,cabling infrastructure, etc. Such a deployment of fixed computingcapacity via construction of hall 102 can be time-consuming.

In some embodiments, computing capacity at a data center site can berapidly deployed, relative to the rate at which computing capacity isdeployed through construction of a fixed data center hall 102 at thesite 100 to provide fixed computing capacity, based at least in partupon installing movable data center modules 110 and movableinfrastructure modules 120 to provide movable computing capacity viarack computer systems in the data center modules 110.

In some embodiments, deployment of movable computing capacity at a datacenter site via data center modules can include separately transportingvarious data center modules 110 and infrastructure modules 120 to thesecond location 103, positioning the various modules 110, 120 in thelocation 103, coupling the infrastructure module 120 to one or morepower sources and communication networks, and coupling the data centermodules 110 to the infrastructure modules 120, via conduits 122 couplingrespective external connections 111, 123 of the respective modules 110,120 to configure modules 110 to receive infrastructure support viamodule 120 to perform computing operations and to provide computingcapacity. Module 120 can provide one or more of electrical and networkcommunication support to the data center modules 110 to supportcomputing operations by said modules 110. In some embodiments, one ormore of the modules 110, 120 are prefabricated and in a form inaccordance with at least one standard for shipping containers, so thateach separate module 110, 120 can be separately shipped to the site 100,via one or more separate delivery vehicles (e.g., semi-trailers, flatbedtrailers, delivery trucks, etc.) and mounted in a position in thelocation 103.

In some embodiments, where the modules 110, 120 are pre-fabricated,construction of the modules, installation of racks and cablinginfrastructure therein, installation of individual infrastructurecomponents, etc. at the site 100 is precluded, as installation of suchcomponents includes shipping (also referred to as “delivering”,“transporting”, etc.) a module to the site, placing a module on asurface in the location 103 and coupling the module, via one or moreexternal connections, to external systems, services to provide supportto the module. Such modules 110, 120 can be constructed off-site,including at a separate fabrication facility, and the modules 110, 120can be stored in a storage location until a determination is made thatcomputing capacity is needed at the site. Upon such a determination, anumber of rack computer systems associated with the needed computingcapacity, and a number of infrastructure modules which can provide asufficient quantity of one or more types of infrastructure support tosupport computing operations by the number of rack computer systems, canbe selected and transported to the site, separately, together on acommon delivery vehicle, some combination thereof, etc. Upon arrival atthe site 100, the various modules 110, 120 can be mounted in variouslocations in location 103 (such mounting can be referred to as“positioning”), and the modules 110, 120 can be coupled together toconfigure the data center modules 110 to perform computing operations toprovide computing capacity and for the infrastructure modules 120 toprovide infrastructure support to the modules 110 to support thecomputing operations by the modules 110.

In some embodiments, each module, prior to shipment to a site, can bepre-certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. In certainembodiments, modules 110, 120 may be UL-listed and/or ETL-listed. Amodular computing system, or portions of a modular computing system canbe ETL SEMKO, CE/ETSI, or UL stamped. In some embodiments, having acertified module 110, 120 will reduce the scope of a buildinginspection. For example, the electrical inspector may only inspect thecable connections between the external connections of modules 110, 120,the connections of any additional data center modules added after theinitial deployment, etc. A modular computing system may thus in someembodiments be a self-contained system with the capability of rapiddeploy, with only minor utility and fiber connections, which generallyrequire only over-the-counter permits.

Because movable computing capacity provided via modules 110, 120 isdeployed via transporting, positioning, and coupling individual modulesat a site, the quantity of computing capacity provided at the site canbe rapidly deployed and adjusted as needed. Structural construction canbe minimized, as foundation construction, structural beam construction,etc. is not required for such deployment, and installation of conduitinfrastructure can be restricted to coupling the separate modulestogether and to external systems and services via external connections111, 123, 121 and conduits 122, 124, 126, so that routing cablinginfrastructure to and between the individual rack computers systems,components, etc. at the site is precluded (such routing and coupling ofinfrastructure within a given module 110, 120 can be implemented duringoff-site construction of the module, prior to storage or shipment tosite 100). For example, location 103 can be a gravel surface, concretesurface, soil surface, repurposed parking lot, previously empty field,etc. As a result, deployment of movable computing capacity in location103, via positioning and coupling of modules 110, 120 can be more rapidthan deployment of fixed computing capacity in location 101, viaconstruction of data center hall 102. In addition, if additionalcomputing capacity is needed, additional modules 110, 120 can betransported to the site 100 and positioned and coupled to deploy theadditional movable capacity, while data center hall 102 may requiresubstantial redesign, add-on construction, extension, etc. to deployadditional fixed computing capacity.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, such modules 110, 120 can be decoupledfrom each other and removed from location 103 to remove computingcapacity from site 100. Thus, the computing capacity deployed andprovided via modules 110, 120 can be reversible, so that the capacitycan be provided and removed without fundamentally altering location 103,while data center hall 102 may not be removed without substantial effortinvolving decoupling components, racks, etc. from infrastructure,removing said infrastructure, deconstructing the hall 102 structure,removing foundation elements, resurfacing location 101, etc.

In some embodiments, modules 110, 120 can be used to provide temporarycomputing capacity at a site 100, concurrently with construction of adata center hall 102 at the site 100, so that computing capacity can berapidly deployed to site 100 prior to the hall 102 being completed andconfigured to provide computing capacity. As the hall 102 is at leastpartially completed and begins to provide computing capacity viainstalled rack computer systems and supporting infrastructure, modules110, 120 can be removed from site 100 and returned to a storagelocation. Such removal, and thus reduction of computing capacity inlocation 103, can be progressive and complementary to increases incomputing capacity provided via hall 102. Thus, a certain amount ofcomputing capacity can be provided at site 100, and the source of thecapacity can be progressively switched from movable computing capacityprovided by the modules 110, 120 to fixed computing capacity provided bythe hall 102 as the hall 102 is progressively completed.

In some embodiments, infrastructure module 120 is absent, andinstallation of each data center module 110 includes individuallycoupling each individual module 110 with a communication network andpower source via an electrical power connection, network communicationconnection of the respective module. One or more external connections111 of a data center module 110 can comprise an electrical power inletconnection configured to receive power from external power sources anddistribute said electrical power to each of the rack computer systemsmounted in the interior space of the data center module, via instancesof electrical power cabling extending therein, and one or more externalconnections 111 of the module can comprise a network communicationconnection configured to communicatively couple the various rackcomputer systems to the communication pathway coupled to the networkcommunication connection, via various instances of network communicationcabling extending between the network communication connection and therack computer systems in the module interior.

In some embodiments, the data center modules 110 are configured toprovide computing capacity independent of any internal or externalactive cooling systems, so that deploying computing capacity via modules110, 120 does not include installing active cooling systems, providingcoolants, etc. For example, each of modules 110 can be configured toremove heat from rack computer systems therein via “free cooling” of therack computer systems, so that circulation of ambient air into, through,and out of a given module 110 removes heat generated by rack computersystems in the module into the ambient environment. Because no activechilling is used, and the modules 110 are configured to not use same,moving parts associated with heat removal may be absent from the modules110, external to the rack computer systems therein. Airflow through themodules 110 to free-cool rack computer systems can be induced based atleast in part upon the structure of the modules 110. In someembodiments, one or more air moving devices included in a module 110,including air moving devices included in the rack computer systemsincluded in the module 110, at least partially induce airflow into themodule 110 interior from an ambient environment, through the moduleinterior, and back out into the ambient environment from the module 110interior, to free-cool the rack computer systems in the module. Inaddition, because no active chilling (e.g., circulation of a coolantfluid that removes heat from the ambient air) is used, the modules 110are configured to not include any internal active cooling systems, norany connections to any external cooling systems which include an activecooling system, so that installation of active cooling systems inlocation 103 is precluded in order to deploy computing capacity inlocation 103 via modules 110. Because installation of active coolingsystems, including providing and operating such systems, is not includedin deploying computing capacity of modules 110, such deployment ofmodules 110 is simplified, relative to systems which are designed toremove heat from computer systems via active chilling of air, etc.

In addition, although some data center modules may be configured tocirculate coolant through the module interior to remove heat and canalso free-cool the racks as an alternative cooling system, such modules,by being configured to accommodate active cooling, include additionaldesign complexity to accommodate coolant lines, pumps, valves, mitigaterisk of component failure due to coolant leaks, etc. However, datacenter modules 110, by being configured to not connect with any activecooling systems, are simplified in structure by precluding a need toaccommodate active cooling system components and mitigate damage fromcoolant leaks.

In some embodiments, the infrastructure modules 120 include one or moreelectrical modules configured to provide electrical power to rackcomputer systems in one or more data center modules, networkcommunication modules configured to provide network communication accessto the rack computer systems in one or more data center modules, somecombination thereof, etc. For example, a infrastructure module 120 caninclude one or more instances of electrical power distributioncomponents (e.g., transformers, generators, switching devices,uninterruptible power supplies, power distribution units, somecombination thereof, or the like), one or more instances of networkcommunication components (e.g., network switch devices, console switchdevices, routers, etc.), some combination thereof, or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the deployed computing capacity inlocation 103 includes data center modules 110 which are positioned invarious locations in location 103, an infrastructure module 120positioned in location 103, a conduit 124, which can include a powertransmission line, which couples an external connection 121 of theinfrastructure module 120, which can include a power inlet connection,to a power source to configure the module 120 to receive electricalpower from a power source. The module 120 further includes an externalconnection 121, which can include a network communication connectionwhich can connect with a conduit 126, which can include networkcommunication cabling, which communicatively couples the module 120 to acommunication network, and multiple conduits 122 which couple the module120, via various external connections 123, to the various modules 110 inlocation 103, via conduits coupling with external connections 111 of themodules 110, to provide power support, network communication support,etc. to the modules 110 via module 120. In some embodiments, one or moreconduits 122 include an electrical power cable, coupling a power outletconnection 123 of module 120 with a corresponding power inlet connection111 of a given data center module 110. In some embodiments, one or moreconduits 122 include a network communication cable, coupling acommunication connection 123 of module 120 with a communicationconnection 111 of a given module 110.

Infrastructure module 120 can be coupled to an external source ofelectrical power, such as a utility feed 124. Module 120 can distributeelectrical power to data center modules 110 via one or more conduits122, which can include one or more instances of power cabling. Module120 can include one or more instances of switchgear, mechanicaldistribution panels, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), powerdistribution units (PDU), transformers, transfer switches, generators,etc. In some embodiments, module 120 includes all of the electricalpower distribution equipment associated with the modular computingsystem. In some embodiments, module 120 includes a 1600-ampere ATS, 2UPSs at 550 kW each, a critical distribution panel, main distributionpanels, and a mechanical distribution panel. In some embodiments,electrical power at 480/277Y voltage is distributed to racks in datacenter modules.

In some embodiments, first location 101 and second location 103 areremotely located relative to each other, and the data center modules 110positioned at location 103 can be communicatively coupled to the datacenter hall 102 via one or more network connections. For example, insome embodiments, location 103 is located at a site which isgeographically remote from a site at which location 101 is located. Insome embodiments, data center modules 110 are positioned at location 103to provide additional computing capacity for a previously-constructedand completed data center hall 102. For example, where a certain amountof additional computing capacity is required at data center hall 102, anumber of data center modules 110 which collectively provide the certainamount of additional computing capacity can be installed at location 103and communicatively coupled to data center hall 102 via a networkconnection. Such additional computing capacity can be provided inresponse to a temporary requirement for such computing capacity,including a temporary loss of a certain amount of fixed computingcapacity at data center hall 102. In some embodiments, data centermodules 110 can be positioned at location 103 to provide permanentcomputing capacity at location 103.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an interior of a data centermodule which includes one or more rows of rack computer systems,according to some embodiments. The data center module 200 illustrated inFIG. 2 can be included, in some embodiments, in one or more data centermodules 110 illustrated in FIG. 1, etc.

Data center module 200 includes housing 201 which at least partiallyencompasses an interior 202 of the housing 201. The housing 201 includesa bottom end 204, which can include a floor of the interior 202, ontowhich a row 206 of rack computer systems 208 are installed and extendbetween opposite side faces 280 of the module 200. The rack computersystems 208 can perform computing operations to provide computingcapacity in the module 200. In some embodiments, each rack computersystem 208 can be at least partially secured in place in the interior202 via a given pair of dividers 209. The row of rack computer systems208 included in module 200 can perform computing operations, such thatmodule 200 is configured to provide movable computing capacity via therack computer systems 208.

In some embodiments, the row of rack computer systems in the data centermodule housing interior are arranged in the interior 202 to establishspaces on one or more sides of the row of racks. As shown, moduleinterior 202 includes a front aisle 212 extending along a front side ofthe row 206 and a rear aisle 214 extending along a rear side of the row206. Each aisle 212, 214 can at least partially establish a separate airplenum extending along a respective side of the row of rack computersystem. For example, aisle 212 and row 206 can at least partiallyestablish an intake air plenum, extending along a front face of the row206 and along aisle 212, into which a flow 222 of air is directed bymodule 200 from an ambient environment, and from which the flow 222 ofair is directed through the rack computer systems 208 in the row 206. Inaddition, aisle 214 and row 206 can at least partially establish anexhaust air plenum, extending along a rear face of the row 206 and alongaisle 214, into which a flow 224 of exhaust air is directed by module200 from the row 206 of racks 208, and from which the flow 224 of air isdirected out of the interior 202 and into the ambient environment.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, airflow 222 into the front endof the rack computer systems via aisle 212, and airflow out of the rackcomputer systems 208 and out of module 200 via aisle 214, flow at leastpartially orthogonally relative to the direction along which the row 206of racks extend. Each rack computer system 208 in a row 206 of rackcomputer systems can have a front end facing towards aisle 212, so thatairflow 222 into module 200 and through aisle 212 flows towards thefront end of each of the rack computer systems 208 in the row 208.Similarly, each rack computer system 208 in a row 206 of rack computersystems can have a rear end facing towards aisle 214, so that airflow224 through aisle 214 and out of module 200 flows away from the rear endof each of the rack computer systems 208 in the row 208. As a result,said airflows 222, 224 can be referred to as flowing at least partiallyorthogonally, perpendicularly, etc. relative to the row 206 of rackcomputer systems 208.

FIG. 3A-B illustrate perspective front and rear views of a data centermodule configured to direct a lateral flow of air through the moduleinterior to remove heat from one or more rows of rack computer systems,according to some embodiments. The data center module 300 illustrated inFIG. 3A-B can be included, in some embodiments, in one or more datacenter modules 110 illustrated in FIG. 1, data center module 200illustrated in FIG. 2, etc.

Data center module 300 includes a module housing 301 which includesopposite side faces 308, a front face 302, and a rear face 312. Frontface 302 includes an intake air opening 305 configured to direct ambientair from an ambient environment 390 into an interior of the modulehousing 301. Rear face 312 includes an exhaust air opening 315configured to direct air from the module housing 301 interior into theambient environment 390.

Data center module 300 is configured to direct a flow 350 of ambientair, as an intake air flow via the intake air opening 305 in the frontface 302, into an interior of the housing 301. The data center module300 is further configured to direct a flow 380 of air, as an exhaust airflow via the exhaust air opening 315 in the rear face 312, out of theinterior of the housing 301 and into the ambient environment 390. Theflow 380 of air can include the flow 350 of air which has passed througha portion of the housing 301 interior and has removed heat from one ormore heat producing components in the housing interior. Such heatproducing components can be included in one or more rack computersystems included in the interior of the module housing 301.

Intake air opening 305 can include a filter assembly 303 which extendsat least partially across the intake air opening 305 and is configuredto at least partially filter environmental elements out of the air flow350 into the module housing interior via opening 305. Such environmentalelements can include particulate matter suspending in the air flow 350,precipitation in the ambient environment 390, etc. Rear air opening 315can include a semi-permeable screen 313 which extends at least partiallyacross the exhaust air opening 315 and is configured to at leastpartially preclude external access to the module housing interior viathe rear air opening 315. Such a semi-permeable screen can include anexpanded steel mesh structure, chain-link fence structure, etc. whichmay not filter environmental elements out of the air but can precludevarious macro-scale elements, including animals, building materials,etc. from entering the housing 301 interior via opening 315.

In some embodiments, a data center module housing 301 is configured tohave a form factor of a shipping container. In the illustratedembodiment, for example, module 301 has a form factor of a shippingcontainer configured to be transported via at least a semi-trailer, railflatbed car, cargo ship, etc. As a result, the module 300 can easily bemounted in a delivery vehicle and transported between locations. Inaddition, where the module 300 is in a storage location, multiplemodules can be stacked horizontally, vertically, etc. relative to eachother.

FIG. 3C illustrates an orthogonal view of a data center modulecomprising a scoop assembly coupled to a data center module housing,according to some embodiments. The data center module 370 illustrated inFIG. 3C can be included, in some embodiments, in one or more data centermodules 110 illustrated in FIG. 1, data center module 200 illustrated inFIG. 2, data center module 300 illustrated in FIG. 3A-3B, etc.

In some embodiments, a data center module includes one or more scoopassemblies which can be coupled to a face of the data center module andare configured to redirect airflow out of the data center module, viathe respective face, in one or more particular directions into theambient environment. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, one ormore scoop assemblies 380 can be coupled to a rear face 373 of the datacenter module housing 371, where the one or more scoop assemblies areconfigured to redirect a lateral air flow 360 of exhaust air exiting themodule housing 371 via an exhaust air opening in the rear face 373 in adifferent direction than the illustrated direction of air flow 360,including the direction of redirected air flow 385. Such a differentdirection can include an upwards direction, such that the scoop assembly380 is configured to redirect air flow 360 upwards as air flow 385 intothe ambient environment 390. As a result, where one or more other datacenter modules 370 are positioned proximate to the rear face 373 of theillustrated module 370, so that a front face 372 of the one or moreother data center modules face towards the rear face 373 of theillustrated module 370, a scoop assembly 380 coupled to the rear face373 of the illustrated module 370 can redirect exhaust air flow 360 awayfrom flowing into the front face 372 of the one or more other datacenter modules 370, thereby precluding the inlet airflow 350 into anopening in a front face 372 of the one or more data center modules 370from including heated exhaust air flow 360 from the illustrated datacenter module 370. As a result, multiple data center modules 370 can bepositioned together while mitigating a risk of exhaust air from one datacenter module preheating intake air to another data center module.

In some embodiments, one or more openings in a data center modulehousing include one or more sets of louvers, dampers, etc. The louverscan be fixed and configured to redirect airflow through the respectiveopening in which the respective set of louvers is included. For example,in the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 3A-B, a set of louvers arecomprised in an exhaust opening 315 of a data center module and areconfigured to redirect a lateral airflow 360 through the opening 315 toflow in an upwards direction into the ambient environment 390. Thelouver assembly can be included in the face 312 of the housing 301, sothat the housing conforms to one or various form factors correspondingto one or more shipping container standards. In some embodiments, one ormore sets of dampers are comprised in one or more air openings in thedata center module housing, where the dampers are configured to beadjustable to enable control of one or more of air flow directionthrough the one or more air openings, air flow rate through the one ormore openings, some combination thereof, etc.

As used herein, “shipping container standard” can refer to a standardset of dimensions for intermodal containers. Such a standard can includeone or more International Organization for Standardization (“ISO”)standards for intermodal containers. Such a standard can include aTwenty Foot Equivalent Unit (“TEU”) standard, RACE standard, ACTSstandard, SECU standard, PODS standard, etc. For example, in someembodiments, data center module housing 301 has dimensions and attachpoints in accordance with a Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (“TEU”)standard. In one embodiment, housing 301 is the entire width and lengthof a standard TEU.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, some embodiments of a datacenter module 300 include one or more side faces 308 which include oneor more doors which enable access to the housing 301 interior. Suchaccess can enable maintenance of rack computer systems installedtherein, etc.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of an interior of a data center moduleconfigured to direct a lateral flow of air through the module interiorto remove heat from one or more rows of rack computer systems, accordingto some embodiments. Such flows of air 450, 452, 454, 456, 460, in someembodiments, flow at least partially orthogonally, perpendicularly, etc.relative to a row of rack computer systems including the illustratedrack computer system 430. The data center module 400 illustrated in FIG.4A can be included, in some embodiments, in one or more data centermodules illustrated in one or more of FIG. 1-3, etc.

Data center module 400 includes a module housing 401 which at leastpartially encompasses an interior which includes at least one rackcomputer system 430, intake air plenum 410, exhaust air plenum 420, andbaffle element 440. Rack computer system 430 includes a rack 431 inwhich multiple computer systems 432 are installed. Housing 401 includesa top end 405, front face 402, bottom end 403, and rear face 404 whichat least partially encompass an interior of the housing 401. Bottom end403 can include a floor which at least partially supports the structuralload of the rack computer systems 430 included in the interior. Frontface 402 includes an intake air opening 406, which can include one ormore filter assemblies, which is configured to direct a flow of ambientair 450 from ambient environment 490 and into an intake air plenum 410which is included in the interior of housing 401 and extends along afront end of the rack computer systems 430 included in said interior.Air directed into plenum 410 via opening 406 can be referred to asintake air flow 452.

Intake air 452 can circulate through the intake air plenum 410 and canbe directed from the plenum 410 through one or more computer systems 432included in the rack computer system 430 to remove heat from heatproducing components included therein. As shown, airflows 454 can passfrom plenum 410, via the front end of rack computer system 430 andthrough various separate computer systems 432 included in the rackcomputer system, where each separate airflow 454 can remove heat fromone or more heat producing components included in the various computersystems 432. Such airflow 454 includes intake air 452, directed throughthe computer systems 432 from plenum 410. Where such air 454 removesheat from heat producing components in rack computer system 430, suchair can be referred to as exhaust air. The airflow 454, subsequent topassing through one or more computer systems 432, removing heat fromheat producing components included therein, etc., can pass out of therack computer system 430 via a rear end of the rack computer system 430and into exhaust air plenum 420. Exhaust air plenum 420 extends alongthe rear end of the rack computer systems 430 included in the interiorof housing 401. Airflow 454 which enters plenum 420 via the rear end ofrack computer system 430 is referred to as exhaust air 456 and cancirculate through plenum 420. Rear face 404 of the housing 401 includesan exhaust air opening 408 which can direct the exhaust air 456 out ofthe exhaust plenum 420, via opening 404, into ambient environment 490 asexhaust air 460. In the illustrated embodiment, exhaust air opening 408includes a set of louvers configured to redirect air 456 to flow, as air460, in a different direction relative to the air flow direction of air456. In some embodiments, the set of louvers included in opening 408comprise a set of adjustable dampers configured to adjustably controlone or more of air flow direction and air flow rate through opening 408.

In some embodiments, a data center module is configured to remove heatfrom rack computer systems included therein, independently of any activecooling systems, via directing a lateral flow of air to flow laterallythrough the interior of the module. As shown in FIG. 4A, the flows ofair 450-460 into, through, and out of the module 400 are lateral in flowdirection. The flows 450 can be induced via one or more variousgradients through the housing 401 interior, including a pressuregradient from opening 406 to opening 408 through the interior, atemperature gradient between the openings through the interior, etc. Insome embodiments, the airflows 450-460 are induced based at least inpart upon ambient air currents (e.g., wind).

In some embodiments, a data center module includes one or more variousstructures which at least partially partition separate spaces in theinterior of the housing, so that the air passages between the separatespaces are restricted to air passages through one or moreheat-generating components, so that airflow between the separate spacesis restricted to flow in thermal communication with the one or more heatproducing components, and remove heat from same. Such separate spacescan include separate air plenums in the housing interior. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, where the rack computer system 430in the housing interior extends vertically only partially through theinterior, so that the rack computer system 430 does not extend fullyfrom bottom element 403 to top element 405 and a gap is present betweenthe rack computer system 430 and the top element, the module 400includes a baffle element 440 which extends between the top of rackcomputer system 430 and the top element 405 and partitions the intakeair plenum 410 and the exhaust air plenum 420 in the gap between rackcomputer system 430 and top end 405. As a result, air passages betweenthe separate plenums 410, 420 are at least partially restricted to airpassages through the various computer system 432 included in the rackcomputer system, so that airflow 454 between the plenums 410, 420 isrestricted to flow through the computer systems 432 and remove heatgenerated by one or more heat producing components included in thecomputer systems 432.

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of an interior of a data center moduleincluding a row of rack computer systems extending between opposite sidefaces of the module, according to some embodiments. The data centermodule 400 illustrated in FIG. 4B can be included, in some embodiments,in one or more data center modules illustrated in one or more of FIG.1-3, FIG. 4A, etc.

Data center module 400 includes a module housing 401 which at leastpartially encompasses an interior which includes a row 425 of rackcomputer systems 430, dividers 434, and baffle element 440. Housing 401includes a top end 401, side faces 468A-B, and bottom end 403 which atleast partially encompass an interior of the housing 401. Bottom end 403can include a floor which at least partially supports the structuralload of the rack computer systems 430 included in the interior.

In some embodiments, a data center module includes one or more variousstructures which at least partially partition separate spaces in theinterior of the housing, so that the air passages between the separatespaces are restricted to air passages through one or moreheat-generating components, so that airflow between the separate spacesis restricted to flow in thermal communication with the one or more heatproducing components, and remove heat from same. Such separate spacescan include separate air plenums in the housing interior. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, where the rack computer systems 430in the housing interior extend vertically only partially through theinterior, so that the rack computer systems 430 do not extend fully frombottom element 403 to top element 405 and a gap is present between therack computer systems 430 and the top element, the module 400 includes abaffle element 440 which extends between the top of rack computersystems 430 and the top element 405 and partitions the separate airspaces on opposite sides of the row 425 of rack computer systems, whichcan include separate intake air plenums and exhaust air plenums, fromeach other. In addition, dividers 434 can each extend laterally betweensides of adjacent rack computer systems 430 to partition the lateralspace between the adjacent rack computer systems 430. In someembodiments, the dividers 434, baffle elements 440, some combinationthereof, etc. are configured to secure the various rack computer systems430 in specific positions in the module 400 interior. For example, agiven pair of adjacent dividers 434 and baffle element 440 can beconfigured to collectively couple with the side and top ends of a rackcomputer system to secure the rack computer system in a space betweenthe dividers 434 and baffle element 440.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a data center module configuredto direct a flow of air at least partially in a vertical directionthrough the module interior, to remove heat from one or more rows ofrack computer systems, according to some embodiments. The data centermodule 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be included, in some embodiments,in one or more data center modules illustrated in one or more of FIG.1-4, etc.

The data center module 500 includes a housing 501 which at leastpartially encompasses an interior 503 of the housing. The housingincludes at least a top end 522 and a bottom end 512, where the bottomend 512 includes intake air openings 514 and the top end 522 includesexhaust air openings 524. In some embodiments, one or more exhaust airopenings included in a data center module, including openings 524 in theillustrated module 500, can include one or more sets of vents, louvers,gutters, etc. which can at least partially restrict entry ofenvironmental elements into the module interior 503 via the ambientenvironment, while permitting passage of air through the openings 524.For example, where air openings in a module are located on a top end ofthe module housing, including the illustrated openings 524 on top end522 of housing 501, one or more components configured to divertenvironmental elements in the ambient environment, includingprecipitation, dust, etc., from entering the interior 503 can beincluded in one or more of the openings 524. Such components can includeone or more passive cooling systems, as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/043,660, “Passive Cooling System with AmbientFluid Collection”, filed Oct. 1, 2013 and incorporated by referenceherein.

In some embodiments, a data center module is configured to direct anairflow through the interior of the module, at least partially in avertical flow direction. Such vertical airflow can be based at least inpart upon an air density gradient, air buoyancy gradient, temperaturegradient, some combination thereof, or the like through the interior 503from openings 514 to openings 524. For example, intake air enteringinterior 503 via the openings 514 in the bottom end 512 can pass throughthe interior 503 to openings 524 based at least in part upon risingthrough the interior due to a vertically-oriented air density gradientthrough the interior 503 from openings 514 to openings 524. The module500 can be configured to direct ambient air 516 from an ambientenvironment, into interior 503 through the openings 514 in the bottomend 512, and to direct exhaust air 526 out of interior 503, via openings524.

In some embodiments, a data center module 500 is configured to bepositioned on one or more structural supports 502 so that the datacenter module 500 is positioned in an elevated position. As a result,the bottom end 512 is elevated over a space 507 between the module 500and a surface which at least partially corresponds to the height of thesupports 502. Positioning the module 500 in an elevated position canenable ambient air 516 to pass through space 507 and flow from space 507beneath bottom end 512 into interior 503 of module 500 via the openings514 which are in flow communication with space 507. Such directed flowcan be based at least in part upon an air density gradient from space507 into interior 503 across openings 514, an air pressure gradientacross same, etc.

In some embodiments, module 500 includes a row of rack computer systemsin the interior 503, where the row extends between opposite side faces,generally in parallel with the direction through which the openings 514,524 extend between the same opposite side faces. As the direction ofairflows 516, 526 is shown to flow generally orthogonally to thedirection through which the openings 514, 524 extend between oppositeside faces of module 500, the air flows 516, 526 can be understood toflow at least partially orthogonally, perpendicularly, etc. relative toa row of rack computer systems extending between opposite side faces ofmodule housing 501.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an interior of a data center moduleconfigured to direct a flow of air at least partially vertically throughthe module interior to remove heat from a row of rack computer systems,according to some embodiments. Such flows of air 650, 652, 654, 656,660, in some embodiments, flow at least partially orthogonally,perpendicularly, etc. relative to a row of rack computer systemsincluding the illustrated rack computer system 630. The data centermodule 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 can be included, in some embodiments,in one or more data center modules illustrated in one or more of FIG.1-5, etc.

Data center module 600 includes a module housing 601 which at leastpartially encompasses an interior which includes at least rack computersystem 630, intake air plenum 610, exhaust air plenum 620, and baffleelement 640. Housing 601 includes a top end 605, front face 602, bottomend 603, and rear face 604 which at least partially encompass aninterior of the housing 601. Bottom end 603 can include a floor which atleast partially supports the structural load of the rack computersystems 630 included in the interior. Front face 602 bounds an intakeair plenum 610 in the housing interior, where the intake air plenum 610bounds a front end of the rack computer systems 630 and is configured todirect intake air received into plenum 610 from an ambient environmentto flow through computer system 632 included in the rack computersystems 630 via the front end of the rack computer systems 630 whichfaces the plenum 610. Rear face 604 bounds an exhaust air plenum 620 inthe housing interior, where the exhaust air plenum 620 bounds a rear endof the rack computer systems 630 and is configured to receive exhaustair directed into plenum 620 via the rear end of the rack computersystems 630 to flow through out of the housing 601 interior and into anambient environment.

In some embodiments, a data center module is configured to direct air toflow at least partially vertically between opposite top and bottom endsof the module housing. Such directed airflow can include a verticalairflow upwards through the housing interior, from an intake air openingin a bottom end of the housing, to an exhaust air opening in a top endof the housing. Such direct airflow can be induced based at least inpart upon one or more gradients across the housing interior between theopenings in the top and bottom ends, including an air density gradient,buoyancy gradient, etc. For example, cooling air directed into thehousing interior via an opening at the bottom end can be warmed in theinterior, based at least in part upon removing heat from various heatproducing components therein, and such warmed air can be displacedupwards through the module interior by additional cooling air to anexhaust opening at the top of the interior, from which the warmed aircan exit back into the ambient environment.

In the illustrated embodiment, module 600 is configured to directambient air 650 upwards into the intake air plenum 610 as intake air652, via intake air opening 606 in the bottom end 603 of the housing601. The ambient air 650 can be directed upwards into the plenum 610from a space 607 in the ambient environment over which the modulehousing 601 is mounted on support structures 690. The ambient air 650can be directed upwards into plenum 610 via one or more gradients acrossopening 606 from space 607 to plenum 610.

In addition, module 600 is configured to direct the intake air 652 fromplenum 610 through the various computer systems 632 included in a rackcomputer system 630 in the housing 601 interior. Intake air plenum 610can extend along a front side of at least rack computer system 630, andmodule 600 can be configured to direct the intake air 652 to pass fromplenum 610 and into computer systems 632 via the front end of the rackcomputer system 630. Such intake air passing into the rack computersystems 630 can flow 654 through the computer systems, from the frontend of the rack computer system 630 to the rear end of the rack computersystem 630, to remove heat from one or more heat producing componentsincluded in the computer systems 632. As shown in the illustratedembodiment, while intake air flow 652 through plenum 610 can be anupwards vertical flow through plenum, air flow 654 through the rackcomputer system 630 can be at least partially lateral.

Module 600 is configured to direct airflow through the computer system632, which exits the rack computer system 630 via a rear end of the rackcomputer system 630 into an exhaust air plenum 620 extending along therear end of the rack computer system 630 as exhaust air 656, to flowvertically upwards through plenum 620 to an exhaust air plenum 608 inthe top end 605 of the module housing 601, through which the exhaust air656 can pass into the ambient environment as exhaust airflow 660.

In some embodiments, a data center module is configured to remove heatfrom rack computer systems included therein, independently of any activecooling systems, via directing a flow of air to flow vertically throughthe interior of the module. As shown in FIG. 6, the flows of air into,and out of, the module 600 are at least partially vertical and upwardsin flow direction. The flows 652-656 can be induced via one or morevarious gradients through the housing 601 interior, including a pressuregradient from opening 606 to opening 608 through the interior, atemperature gradient between the openings through the interior, etc. Insome embodiments, the airflows 652-656 are induced based at least inpart upon ambient air currents (e.g., wind). For example, module 600 canbe configured to generate a vertically oriented air density gradientupwards from the bottom end 603 to the top end 605 in the housinginterior, so that an upwards airflow into the interior (650), throughthe interior (652-656), and out of the interior (660) is induced.

In some embodiments, a data center module includes one or more variousstructures which at least partially partition separate spaces in theinterior of the housing, so that the air passages between the separatespaces are restricted to air passages through one or moreheat-generating components, so that airflow between the separate spacesis restricted to flow in thermal communication with the one or more heatproducing components, and remove heat from same. Such separate spacescan include separate air plenums in the housing interior. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, where the rack computer system 630in the housing interior extends vertically only partially through theinterior, so that the rack computer system 630 does not extend fullyfrom bottom element 603 to top element 603 and a gap is present betweenthe rack computer system 630 and the top element, the module 600includes a baffle element 640 which extends between the top of rackcomputer system 630 and the top element 605 and partitions the intakeair plenum 610 and the exhaust air plenum 620 in the gap between rackcomputer system 630 and top end 605. As a result, air passages betweenthe separate plenums 610, 620 are at least partially restricted to airpassages through the various computer system 632 included in the rackcomputer system, so that airflow 654 between the plenums 610, 620 isrestricted to flow through the computer systems 632 and remove heatgenerated by one or more heat producing components included in thecomputer systems 632.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an interior of a data center moduleconfigured to direct two flows of air at least partially verticallythrough the module interior, via two separate intake air plenums onopposite sides of one or more rows of rack computer systems, to removeheat from the one or more rows of rack computer systems, according tosome embodiments. Such flows of air 750, 752A-B, 754, 756, 760, in someembodiments, flow at least partially orthogonally, perpendicularly, etc.relative to a row of rack computer systems including the illustratedrack computer system 730. The data center module 700 illustrated in FIG.7 can be included, in some embodiments, in one or more data centermodules illustrated in one or more of FIG. 1-6, etc.

Data center module 700 includes a module housing 701 which at leastpartially encompasses an interior which includes at least rack computersystem 730, intake air plenums 710A-B extending along opposite sides ofthe rack computer system 730, an exhaust air plenum 720 above the rackcomputer system 730, and baffle elements 780 which at least partiallypartition the plenums 710A-B, 720 from each other. Housing 701 includesa top end 705, side faces 702A-B, and bottom end 703 which at leastpartially encompass an interior of the housing 701. Bottom end 703 caninclude a floor which at least partially supports the structural load ofthe rack computer systems 730 included in the interior. Each of sidefaces 702A-B bounds a separate proximate intake air plenum 710A-B in thehousing interior, where each separate intake air plenum 710A-B bounds aseparate side end of the rack computer system 730 and is configured todirect intake air received into each of plenums 710A-B from an ambientenvironment to flow through computer systems 732 included in the rackcomputer system 730 via the separate side ends of the rack computersystems 730 which each face a separate one of the separate plenums710A-B. The rack computer system 730 is configured to direct airentering the rack computer system laterally from the separate intake airplenums 710A-B to flow upwards, as air flows 754, to the exhaust airplenum 720 as exhaust air 756 via a top end of the rack computer system730.

In some embodiments, a data center module is configured to direct air toflow at least partially vertically between opposite top and bottom endsof the module housing. Such directed airflow can include a verticalairflow upwards through the housing interior, from an intake air openingin a bottom end of the housing, to an exhaust air opening in a top endof the housing. Such direct airflow can be induced based at least inpart upon one or more gradients across the housing interior between theopenings in the top and bottom ends, including an air density gradient,buoyancy gradient, etc. For example, cooling air directed into thehousing interior via an opening at the bottom end can be warmed in theinterior, based at least in part upon removing heat from various heatproducing components therein, and such warmed air can be displacedupwards through the module interior by additional cooling air to anexhaust opening at the top of the interior, from which the warmed aircan exit back into the ambient environment.

In the illustrated embodiment, module 700 is configured to directseparate flows of ambient air 750 upwards into the separate intake airplenum 710A-B as separate flows of intake air 752A-B, via separateintake air openings 706A-B, each corresponding to the separate intakeair plenums 710A-B, in the bottom end 703 of the housing 701. Theambient air 750 can be directed upwards into the plenums 710A-B from aspace 707 in the ambient environment over which the module housing 701is mounted on support structures 790. The ambient air 750 can bedirected upwards into the separate plenums 710A-B via one or moregradients across openings 706A-B from space 707 to the correspondingseparate plenums 710A-B. Each separate intake air plenum 710A-B extendslaterally along a separate side end of the rack computer system 732,where the rack computer system 732 can be included in a row of rackcomputer systems, so that the intake air plenums 710A-B extend alongseparate side ends of the row of rack computer systems.

In addition, module 700 is configured to direct the intake air 752A-Bfrom plenums 710A-B through the various computer systems 732 included ina rack computer system 730 in the housing 701 interior. Intake airplenums 710A-B can extend along separate side ends of at least rackcomputer system 730, and module 700 can be configured to direct theintake air 752A-B to pass from the corresponding separate plenums 710A-Band into computer systems 732 via separate side ends of the rackcomputer system 730. Such intake air passing into the rack computersystems 730 can flow 754 through the computer systems, from the sideends of the rack computer system 730 to a central portion of the rackcomputer system 730, to remove heat from one or more heat producingcomponents included in the computer systems 732. As shown in theillustrated embodiment, while intake air flow 752 through plenums 710A-Bcan be an upwards vertical flow through plenum, air flow 754 through therack computer system 730 can be at least partially lateral.

Module 700 is configured to direct airflow 754 at least partiallyvertically and upwards through the computer systems 732, and which exitsthe rack computer system 730 via a top end of the rack computer system730 into an exhaust air plenum 720 extending above the top end of therack computer system 730 as exhaust air 756, to flow vertically upwardsthrough plenum 720 to an exhaust air opening 708 in the top end 705 ofthe module housing 701, through which the exhaust air 756 can pass intothe ambient environment as exhaust airflow 760.

In some embodiments, a data center module is configured to remove heatfrom rack computer systems included therein, independently of any activecooling systems, via directing a flow of air to flow vertically throughthe interior of the module. As shown in FIG. 7, the flows of air into,and out of, the module 700 are at least partially vertical and upwardsin flow direction. The flows 752A-B-756 can be induced via one or morevarious gradients through the housing 701 interior, including a pressuregradient from openings 706A-B to opening 708 through the interior, atemperature gradient between the openings through the interior, etc. Insome embodiments, the airflows 752A-B-756 are induced based at least inpart upon ambient air currents (e.g., wind). For example, module 700 canbe configured to generate a vertically oriented air density gradientupwards from the bottom end 703 to the top end 705 in the housinginterior, so that an upwards airflow into the interior (750), throughthe interior (752A-B-756), and out of the interior (760) is induced.

In some embodiments, a data center module includes one or more variousstructures which at least partially partition separate spaces in theinterior of the housing, so that the air passages between the separatespaces are restricted to air passages through one or moreheat-generating components, so that airflow between the separate spacesis restricted to flow in thermal communication with the one or more heatproducing components, and remove heat from same. Such separate spacescan include separate air plenums in the housing interior. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, where the rack computer system 730in the housing interior extends vertically only partially through theinterior, so that the rack computer system 730 does not extend fullyfrom bottom element 703 to top element 705 and a gap, which includesexhaust air plenum 720, is present between the top end of rack computersystem 730 and the top end 705, the module 700 includes separate baffleelements 780 which each extend along separate side faces of the exhaustair plenum 720 between the top of rack computer system 730 and the topend 705 and partitions the exhaust air plenum 720 and a separate one ofthe intake air plenums 710A-B in the gap between rack computer system730 and top end 705. As a result, air passages between the separateplenums 710A-B, 720 are at least partially restricted to air passagesthrough the various computer systems 732 included in the rack computersystem 730, so that airflow 754 between the plenums 710A-B, 720 isrestricted to flow through the computer systems 732 and remove heatgenerated by one or more heat producing components included in thecomputer systems 732.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of an interior of a data center moduleconfigured to direct two lateral flows of air laterally through twoseparate intake air plenums on opposite sides of two separate rows ofrack computer systems, and vertically through a common exhaust airplenum, to remove heat from the two rows of rack computer systems,according to some embodiments. Such flows of air 850A-B, 852A-B, 854A-B,856, 860, in some embodiments, flow at least partially orthogonally,perpendicularly, etc. relative to a row of rack computer systemsincluding the illustrated rack computer systems 830A-B. The data centermodule 800 illustrated in FIG. 8 can be included, in some embodiments,in one or more data center modules illustrated in one or more of FIG.1-7, etc.

Data center module 800 includes a module housing 801 which at leastpartially encompasses an interior which includes at least two separaterack computer systems 830A-B which extend laterally, at respective rearends, in a common elevation along opposite sides of a common exhaust airplenum 820, separate intake air plenums 810A-B each extending alongseparate front ends of separate rack computer systems 830A-B, and baffleelements 880A-B which at least partially partition the plenums 810A-B,820 from each other. Housing 801 includes a top end 805, side faces802A-B, and bottom end 803 which at least partially encompass aninterior of the housing 801. Bottom end 803 can include a floor which atleast partially supports the structural load of the rack computersystems 830A-B included in the interior. Each of side faces 802A-Bbounds a separate proximate intake air plenum 810A-B in the housinginterior, where each separate intake air plenum 810A-B bounds a separatefront end of a separate rack computer system 830A-B and is configured todirect intake air 852A-B received into each of plenums 810A-B from anambient environment to flow through computer systems 832 included in therespective separate rack computer system 830A-B via the front end of therespective rack computer systems 830 which faces the respective plenum810A-B. The rack computer systems 830A-B are each configured to directair entering the respective rack computer system laterally from theseparate intake air plenums 810A-B to flow laterally, as air flows854A-B, to the exhaust air plenum 820 as exhaust air 856 via a rear endof the respective rack computer system 830A-B.

In some embodiments, a data center module is configured to direct air toflow at least partially laterally into an interior of the module housingand to flow vertically out of the module housing. Such directed airflowcan include separate lateral airflows into the separate intake airplenums via separate intake air openings 806A-B included in the separateside faces 802A-B of the module, a vertical airflow upwards through theexhaust air plenum 820 to an exhaust air opening 808 in a top end 805 ofthe housing 801. Such directed airflow can be induced based at least inpart upon one or more gradients across the housing interior between theopenings in the top and bottom ends, including an air density gradient,buoyancy gradient, etc. For example, cooling air directed into thehousing interior via an opening at the side face of the housing can bewarmed in the interior, based at least in part upon removing heat fromvarious heat producing components therein, and such warmed air can bedisplaced upwards through the module interior by additional cooling airto an exhaust opening at the top of the interior, from which the warmedair can exit back into the ambient environment.

In the illustrated embodiment, module 800 is configured to directseparate flows of ambient air 850A-B laterally into the separate intakeair plenums 810A-B as separate flows of intake air 852A-B, via separateintake air openings 806A-B, each corresponding to the separate intakeair plenums 810A-B, in the separate side faces 802A-B of the housing801. The ambient air 850A-B can be directed laterally into the separateplenums 810A-B via one or more gradients across openings 806A-B from theambient environment to the corresponding separate plenums 810A-B. Eachseparate intake air plenum 810A-B extends laterally along a separatefront end of a separate rack computer system 830A-B, where the rackcomputer system 830 can be included in a row of rack computer systems,so that the intake air plenums 810A-B extend along separate front endsof separate rows of rack computer systems, and the separate rows eachbound a common exhaust air plenum 820 along separate rear ends of theseparate rack computer systems 830A-B. For example, each separate rackcomputer systems 830A-B can be included in a separate row of 10 racks,so that module 800 includes a total of 20 racks.

In addition, module 800 is configured to direct the intake air 852A-Bfrom plenums 810A-B through the various computer systems 832 included inthe separate rack computer systems 830A-B in the housing 801 interior.Such intake air passing into the separate rack computer systems 830A-Bfrom separate intake air plenums 810A-B can flow 854A-B through thecomputer systems, from the front ends of the separate rack computersystems 830A-B, to a common exhaust air plenum 820 extending betweenrear ends of the separate rack computer systems 830A-B, to remove heatfrom one or more heat producing components included in the computersystems 832. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, while exhaust airflow 856 through exhaust air plenum 820 can be vertical, intake air flow852A-B through plenums 810A-B and air flow 854 through the rack computersystems 830A-B can be at least partially lateral.

Module 800 is configured to direct airflow 854A-B at least partiallylaterally into the exhaust air plenum 820, and which exits the rackcomputer systems 830A-B via respective rear ends of same which extendalong the exhaust air plenum 820 as exhaust air 856, to flow verticallyupwards through plenum 820 to an exhaust air opening 808 in the top end805 of the module housing 801, through which the exhaust air 856 canpass into the ambient environment as exhaust airflow 860.

In some embodiments, a data center module includes one or more variousstructures which at least partially partition separate spaces in theinterior of the housing, so that the air passages between the separatespaces are restricted to air passages through one or moreheat-generating components, so that airflow between the separate spacesis restricted to flow in thermal communication with the one or more heatproducing components, and remove heat from same. Such separate spacescan include separate air plenums in the housing interior. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, where the rack computer systems830A-B in the housing interior extend vertically only partially throughthe interior, so that the rack computer systems 830A-B do not extendfully from bottom element 803 to top element 805 and a gap, whichincludes portions of exhaust air plenum 820 and intake air plenums810A-B, is present between the top end of rack computer systems 830A-Band the top end 805, the module 800 includes separate baffle elements880A-B which each extend along separate side faces of the exhaust airplenum 820 between the top of a separate rack computer system 830A-B andthe top end 805 and partitions the exhaust air plenum 820 and a separateone of the intake air plenums 810A-B in the gap between the rackcomputer systems 830A-B and top end 805. As a result, air passagesbetween the separate plenums 810A-B, 820 are at least partiallyrestricted to air passages through the various computer systems 832included in the rack computer systems 830A-B, so that airflow 854between the plenums 810A-B, 820 is restricted to flow through thecomputer systems 832 and remove heat generated by one or more heatproducing components included in the computer systems 832.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of an interior of a data center moduleconfigured to at least partially induce airflow through the moduleinterior to remove heat from one or more rows of rack computer systems,based at least in part upon operation of one or more air moving devicesassociated with the one or more rows of rack computer systems, accordingto some embodiments. Such flows of air 952, 954, 956, in someembodiments, flow at least partially orthogonally, perpendicularly, etc.relative to a row of rack computer systems including the illustratedrack computer system 930. The data center module 900 illustrated in FIG.9 can be included, in some embodiments, in one or more data centermodules illustrated in one or more of FIG. 1-8, etc.

In some embodiments, a data center module is configured to direct airthrough the module interior to remove heat from rack computer systemsincluded therein based at least in part upon air moving devices includedin the rack computer systems, coupled to the rack computer systems, somecombination thereof, etc. As a result, airflow through the moduleinterior to remove heat can be induced without air handling componentsexternal to, or separate from, the rack computer systems. For example,where each rack computer system includes computer systems which includeinternal air moving devices configured to induce airflow through theindividual computer system to remove heat therefrom, the total airmoving devices of the computer systems in the rack computer system cancollectively generate a gradient through the interior of the moduleacross the rack computer system, which can induce an airflow through themodule interior.

In the illustrated embodiment, for example, data center module 900includes a module housing which at least partially encompasses aninterior in which rack computer system 930 is installed. Rack computersystem 930 includes computer systems 932 which each include at least oneinternal air moving device 972 configured to induce airflow 954 throughthe respective individual computer system 932.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the total air moving devices 972included in the computer systems 932 of rack computer system 930 can beconfigured to collectively generate an air pressure gradient across therack computer system, from the front end 992 of the rack computer system932 to an exhaust end 994 of the rack computer system 930. Such agenerated gradient can induce an airflow 954 through each computersystem from end 992 towards end 994. In addition, the gradient generatedby operation of air moving devices 972 can extend at least partiallyfrom an intake air opening 996 into the module housing interior to atleast the air moving devices 972, so that the air moving devices 972 canoperate to draw intake air flow 952 into the intake air plenum 910 viaopenings 996 and from plenum 910 into the various computer systems 932as airflow 954. In addition, the air moving devices 972 can dischargeairflow 954 into the exhaust air plenum 920 as exhaust airflow andfurther discharge said exhaust air 956 out of the module housing 901interior and into the ambient environment via an exhaust air opening 998in the housing 901.

In some embodiments, a rack computer system 930 includes a fan door 974structure, mounted to either a front end 992 or rear end 994 of the rackcomputer system 930, which includes air moving devices 976 which areconfigured to generate an air pressure gradient to direct air to flow954 through the computer systems in the rack computer system 930 fromfront end 992 to the rear end 994. In some embodiments, the air movingdevices 976 in such a fan door structure can collectively generate anair pressure gradient across at least a portion of the module housing901 interior to induce airflow through the interior to remove heat fromthe module 900 without an active cooling system which utilizes activechilling of such airflow.

In some embodiments, a data center module does not include any airmoving devices within the housing of the data center module, such thatair moving devices are not present in any equipment installed in theinterior of the housing of the data center module, and airflow throughthe housing interior is induced by one or more various air flowgradients through the interior which are established based at least inpart upon the structure of the data center module. For example, withreference to the data center module 600 illustrated in FIG. 6, the datacenter module 600, in some embodiments, does not include any air movingdevices, such that none of the rack computer systems 630 installed inthe data center module include any air moving devices, and airflow650-660 through the interior of housing 601 is induced based at least inpart upon one or more air flow gradients between intake air opening 606and exhaust opening 608. Such one or more air flow gradients can includeone or more of an air buoyancy gradient, a temperature gradient, and airdensity gradient, some combination thereof, etc. For example, thestructure of data center module, which includes the intake air opening606 established in the bottom end 603 of housing 601, and the exhaustair opening 608 established in the top end 605 of the housing, canestablish an air density gradient from the opening 606 in the bottom end603, through the interior of housing 601, and to the opening 608 in thetop end 605.

FIG. 10 illustrates providing computing capacity, independently ofactive cooling, via a modular data center computing system, according tosome embodiments. Such providing can be implemented with regard to datacenter modules illustrated in one or more of FIGS. 1-9.

At 1000, the data center modules are fabricated. Such fabrication can beimplemented at a fabrication site which is separate from a date centersite. At 1002, one or more openings are installed in the module housing.Such openings can include one or more intake air openings and one ormore exhaust air openings. Such openings can be installed in variousends of the module housing. For example, one intake air opening can beinstalled in a front face of the housing, and one exhaust air openingcan be installed in a rear face of the housing. In another example, twointake air openings can be installed in opposite side faces of thehousing, extending in parallel with rows of rack computer systemsextending through the module interior, and one or more exhaust airopenings can be installed in a top end of the module housing. In anotherexample, one or more intake air openings can be installed in a bottomend of the housing, and one or more exhaust air openings can beinstalled in a top end of the housing.

The intake air openings are installed in one or more ends of thehousing, so that each intake air opening is in flow communication withan intake air plenum which extends in parallel along at least one sideof at least one row of rack computer systems in the module interior andeach intake air opening is configured to direct ambient air from anambient environment into at least one intake air plenum as intake air.The exhaust air openings are installed in one or more ends of thehousing, so that each exhaust air opening is in flow communication withan exhaust air plenum which extends in parallel along at least one rearend, top end, some combination thereof, etc. of at least one row of rackcomputer systems in the module interior and each exhaust air opening isconfigured to direct exhaust air from the exhaust air plenum into theambient environment.

Installing one or more of the intake air openings, exhaust air openings,etc. can include installing one or more semi-permeable screens, filterassemblies, etc. in one or more of the installed openings. For example,installing one or more intake air openings in an end of the modulehousing can include installing a filter assembly in the one or moreintake air openings, so that the filter assembly extends at leastpartially across the opening and is configured to filter at least someenvironmental elements out of ambient air directed through the intakeair opening and into an intake air plenum. In another example,installing one or more intake air openings, exhaust air openings, etc.in an end of the module housing can include installing a semi-permeablescreen, including an expanded steel mesh structure, chain link fencestructure, etc. in the one or more openings, so that the screen can atleast partially preclude various elements from entering the modulehousing interior from the ambient environment through the respectiveopening.

At 1004, one or more rack computer systems are coupled to a portion of amodule housing, so that the rack computer systems are mounted in theinterior of the module housing. Such rack computer systems can becoupled, in one or more various slot positions established by variousdivider elements, baffle elements, etc. to establish one or moreparticular arrangements of the rack computer systems in the modulehousing interior. Rack computer system arrangements in the modulehousing interior can include one or more rows of rack computer systems,which can extend at least partially, entirely, etc. between separateside faces of the module housing. Installing one or more rows of rackcomputer systems in a module housing can include at least partiallyestablishing one or more air plenums in the housing interior. Forexample, where a module housing includes an intake air opening installedin one end (e.g., a “front face”) of the housing, an exhaust air openinginstalled in an opposite end (e.g., a “rear face”) of the housing, and arow of rack computer systems is installed to extend in parallel with theopposite ends, an intake air plenum can be established between the oneend and a proximate end of the row of rack computer systems, while anexhaust air plenum can be established between the opposite end andanother opposite end of the row of rack computer systems.

At 1006, one or more instances of support infrastructure are installedin the module housing interior to couple the one or more rack computersystems coupled therein to one or more external infrastructureconnections. In an example, installing instances of supportinfrastructure can include coupling instances of power cabling to powerinlets of the rack computer systems, routing the cabling to an externalpower connection of the module, and coupling the cabling to the externalpower connection, so that the power cabling is configured to distributeelectrical power, received from an external power source at the modulevia the external power connection, to the various rack computer systemsvia the power inlets of said rack computer systems. In another example,installing instances of support infrastructure can include couplinginstances of network communication cabling to network ports of the rackcomputer systems, routing the cabling to an external networkcommunication connection of the module, and coupling the cabling to theexternal network communication connection, so that the networkcommunication cabling is configured to communicatively couple the rackcomputer systems to one or more communication networks via the externalnetwork communication connection.

Upon fabrication, one or more data center modules can be transported toa storage location, where the data center modules can be stored untilneeded to provide computing capacity at a data center site. In someembodiments, each data center module includes at least one identifier onan exterior portion thereof, where the identifier can be used toidentify a particular data center module for storage, transport toanother location, deployment from storage to a site, removal from a siteto storage, etc. For example, a data center module can include a label,installed on one or more ends of the housing, which including anidentifier which uniquely identifies the module. Such an identifier caninclude a barcode, RFID chip, etc.

At 1010, a data center module is deployed at a data center site todeploy computing capacity at the site. Such deployment can be temporaryand based at least in part upon one or more of a particular amount ofcomputing capacity needed at the site, a particular amount of computingcapacity provided at the site from a fixed data center hall, etc. Forexample, where a data center is to be constructed at a data center siteto provide at least a certain amount of computing capacity at such site,data center modules can be deployed at the site to provide the certainamount of computing capacity at the site while the data center hall isunder construction. As computing capacity in the data center hall isbrought on-line, the data center modules can be removed from the datacenter site and placed into storage.

The number of data center modules deployed at a data center site can beselected based on the computing capacity requirements associated withthe data center site. For example, if a data center site in FacilitySite A needs 38 server racks and Facility Site B needs 55 server racks,two 20-rack data center modules (which could accommodate up to 40 rackstotal) can be deployed at Facility Site A, and three 20-rack data centermodules (which could accommodate up to 60 racks total) can be deployedat Facility B. In addition, over time, modules can be added to a modularcomputing system at a data center site if the computing capacity neededat the site increases, and modules can be removed from a modularcomputing system at the data center and redeployed if the computingcapacity needed at the facility decreases.

At 1012, one or more data center modules are transported to the datacenter site. Such data center modules can be selected for transportationbased at least in part upon identifiers included on an external end ofthe module. For example, where multiple data center modules are instorage at a storage location, one or more particular data centermodules can be selected for deployment at a site, and such particularmodules can be identified by one or more operators, scanning devices,etc. based at least in part upon interaction with identifiers of each ofthe particular data center modules.

In some embodiments, where multiple data center modules are selected tobe deployed at a site to collectively provide a certain amount ofcomputing capacity, two or more of the data center module can betransported separately to the site via separate delivery systems. Forexample, where the two or more data center modules are in a form factorcorresponding to a shipping container standard, each separate datacenter module of the two or more data center modules can be separatelytransported to the data center site via a separate delivery truck.

In some embodiments, one or more infrastructure modules can be stored atone or more locations and can be transported to the data center site,concurrently with transport of one or more data center modules to thesite. For example, where a certain number of data center modulesconfigured to provide a collective amount of computing capacity aretransported to a site to provide the collective computing capacity atthe site, a number of infrastructure modules, which are configured toprovide one or more particular types of infrastructure support and insufficient amounts to support the provided collective computing capacityby the data center modules at the site, can be selected for deploymentat the site and transported to the site.

In some embodiments, the infrastructure modules can include one or moreelectrical modules configured to provide electrical power to rackcomputer systems in one or more data center modules, networkcommunication modules configured to provide network communication accessto the rack computer systems in one or more data center modules, somecombination thereof, etc. For example, a infrastructure module caninclude one or more instances of electrical power distributioncomponents (e.g., transformers, generators, switching devices,uninterruptible power supplies, power distribution units, somecombination thereof, or the like), one or more instances of networkcommunication components (e.g., network switch devices, console switchdevices, routers, etc.), some combination thereof, or the like.

At 1014, where the one or more data center modules, infrastructuremodules, etc. are delivered to a data center site, the modules arepositioned in one or more particular locations in the site to arrangethe modules in a particular configuration. The modules may be arrangedto maximize exposure of one or more ends of each of the modules toambient airflow through the site. For example, where the data centermodules include intake air openings on side faces, one or more sets ofsuch modules can be positioned in a row arrangement, where the sidefaces including intake air openings extend in parallel with each otherand face in one or more common directions, so that the modules in theset are positioned to receive ambient air from a common direction. Inanother example, where the data center modules include intake airopenings on bottom ends, positioning the modules can include mountingone or more such modules on one or more support structures, so that themodules are mounted in an elevated position which establishes a spacebeneath the modules through which ambient air can flow and be drawnupwards into the modules via respective intake air openings in thebottom ends of the modules. In another example, where the modulesdelivered to a site include a mixture of data center modules andinfrastructure modules, the data center modules and infrastructuremodules can be positioned at the site in a n arrangement which minimizesthe total amount of infrastructure conduits (e.g., cabling, bus bars,etc.) needed to couple external connections of the infrastructuremodules with the external connections of the data center modules tosupport such data center modules.

In some embodiments, some or all of the modules delivered to a site canphysically couple to one another to position the modules at the site. Incertain embodiments, modules may be fastened together, such as by boltsor pins. In other embodiments, however, modules may not be fastenedtogether, but simply be stacked or positioned next to one another. Insome embodiments, adjoining modules may include aligning elements suchas rails, pins, or keys. In certain embodiments, one or both of twoadjoining modules, or two adjoining half modules, may include sealelements such that a seal is automatically made between the adjoiningelements when they are coupled to one another.

At 1016, one or more data center modules positioned at a data centersite are coupled, via respective external connections of the data centermodules, with one or more connections of one or more infrastructuremodules, via one or more instances of conduits, etc. Such coupling canconfigure the data center modules to receive one or more particulartypes of infrastructure support from the infrastructure modules tosupport computing operations by rack computer systems included in thedata center modules. For example, where an infrastructure moduleincludes one or more instances of electrical power distributioncomponents configured to distribute electrical power, such coupling caninclude coupling one end of one or more instances of power cabling to anexternal connection of the infrastructure module, and further couplinganother end of the one or more instances of power cabling to an externalconnection of one or more data center modules to configure the datacenter modules to receive electrical power from the infrastructuremodules. A given infrastructure module can be coupled to multiple datacenter modules to provide one or more types of infrastructure support tomultiple such modules. In addition, a given infrastructure module can beconfigured to provide multiple separate types of infrastructure. Forexample, an infrastructure modules can include both electrical powerdistribution components and network communication components, so thatthe infrastructure module is coupled to one or emo data center modules,via both power cabling and network communication coupling, to provideboth electrical power support and network communication support to rackcomputer systems included in the data center modules.

As described further herein, because the data center modules areconfigured to remove heat from rack computer systems included thereinwithout any active cooling systems which actively chill airflow throughthe modules, coupling a data center module to one or more infrastructuremodules does not include coupling a data center module with any externalair cooling modules, components, etc.

At 1018, one or more rack computer systems in one or more data centermodules are operated to provide computing capacity at the data centersite. The rack computer systems can be accessed remotely, via networkcommunication infrastructure support.

The various methods as illustrated in the Figures and described hereinrepresent example embodiments of methods. The methods may be implementedin software, hardware, or a combination thereof. The order of method maybe changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined,omitted, modified, etc.

Although the embodiments above have been described in considerabledetail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent tothose skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace allsuch variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular computing system for a data center,comprising: one or more data center modules, wherein each of the one ormore data center modules comprise: a module housing including at least afront face, a rear face, and opposite side faces; and a row of rackcomputer systems extending between the opposite side faces in aninterior of the module housing, wherein each of the rack computersystems comprises a front end proximate to the front face and a rear endproximate to the rear face; and one or more electrical modules coupledto at least one of the one or more data center modules, wherein at leastone of the one or more electrical modules is configured to provideelectrical power to at least one of the rack computer systems in the oneor more data center modules; wherein each of the one or more data centermodules does not include any connections to any active cooling systemand is configured to remove heat from the one or more rack computersystems in the respective data center module independently of any activecooling system; wherein, to remove heat from the one or more rackcomputer systems in the respective data center module independently ofany active cooling system, each of the one or more data center modulesis configured to direct a flow of ambient air from an ambientenvironment, through the front face, through the row of rack computersystems from the front end to the rear end, and back into the ambientenvironment via the rear face.
 2. The modular computing system of claim1, wherein one or more of the front face and the rear face comprises afilter assembly configured to restrict at least some environmentalelements from entering the interior of the module housing.
 3. Themodular computing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one ormore electrical modules is configured to communicatively couple at leastone of the rack computer systems in the one or more data center modulesto a communication network.
 4. The modular computing system of claim 1,wherein: each of the one or more data center modules is configured to bereversibly positioned and coupled to one or more electrical modules, ata data center site, to provide temporary computing capacity,concurrently with construction of a data center hall at the data centersite; and each of the one or more data center modules is configured tobe decoupled from the one or more electrical modules and removed fromthe data center site, based at least in part upon a determination thatthe data center hall is configured to provide computing capacity at thedata center site.
 5. An apparatus, comprising: a data center modulewhich does not include any active cooling system connections and isconfigured to provide computing capacity independently of any activecooling system, wherein the data center module comprises: a modulehousing which at least partially encompasses a module interior; at leastone row of rack computer systems extending, in the module interior,between opposite side faces of the module housing; at least one intakeair opening configured to direct air from an ambient environment into anintake plenum of the module interior which is proximate to an intake endof the row of rack computer systems; and at least one exhaust airopening configured to direct air, from an exhaust plenum which isproximate to an exhaust end of the row of rack computer systems, out ofthe module interior and into the ambient environment; wherein, toprovide computing capacity independently of any active cooling system,the data center module is configured to direct a flow of ambient airfrom the ambient environment, through the intake air opening into theintake plenum, from the intake plenum to the exhaust plenum through oneor more rack computer systems in the row of rack computer systems, andthrough the exhaust air opening from the exhaust plenum to the ambientenvironment.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the at least oneintake air opening comprises a vertically-oriented opening in avertically-oriented face of the module housing and is configured todirect a lateral airflow from the ambient environment into the intakeplenum of the module interior which extends laterally along the intakeend of each rack computer system in the row of rack computer systems. 7.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the at least one intake air openingcomprises a filter assembly which is configured to at least partiallyfilter the lateral airflow from the ambient environment into the intakeplenum of the module interior; and the at least one exhaust air openingcomprises a semi-permeable screen.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:the at least one exhaust air opening comprises a vertically-orientedopening in an opposite vertically-oriented face of the module housingand is configured to direct a lateral airflow from the exhaust plenumwhich extends laterally along the exhaust end of each rack computersystem in the row of rack computer systems, out of the module interiorand into the ambient environment; and to provide computing capacityindependently of any active cooling system, the data center module isconfigured to direct a lateral flow of ambient air from an ambientenvironment, through the intake air opening into the intake plenum, fromthe intake plenum to the exhaust plenum through one or more rackcomputer systems in the row of rack computer systems, and through theexhaust air opening from the exhaust plenum to the ambient environment.9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the at least one row of rackcomputer systems extending between opposite side faces in the moduleinterior comprises at least two separate rows of rack computer systemsextending between the same opposite side faces in the module interior;the at least one intake air opening comprises two separate sets ofvertically-oriented openings, on opposite vertically-oriented faces ofthe module housing, where each separate set of vertically-orientedopenings is configured to direct ambient air from the ambientenvironment into a separate intake plenum, of at least two intakeplenums, which is proximate to an intake end of a separate row of rackcomputer systems of the at least two separate rows of rack computersystems; and the at least one exhaust air opening is configured todirect air, from an exhaust plenum which is proximate to an exhaust endof the row of rack computer systems, out of the module interior and intoan ambient environment.
 10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the datacenter module is configured to induce buoyancy-driven ventilation fromthe at least one intake air opening towards the at least one exhaust airopening through the module interior.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein: the at least one intake air opening comprises ahorizontally-oriented opening in a bottom face of the module housing andis configured to direct a vertical airflow from the ambient environmentinto the intake plenum of the module interior which extends laterallyalong the intake end of each rack computer system in the row of rackcomputer systems; the at least one exhaust air opening comprises ahorizontally-oriented opening in a top face of the module housing and isconfigured to direct a vertical airflow from the exhaust plenum, out ofthe module interior, and into the ambient environment; and to providecomputing capacity independently of any active cooling system, the datacenter module is configured to direct a lateral flow of ambient air froman ambient environment, through the intake air opening into the intakeplenum, from the intake plenum to the exhaust plenum through one or morerack computer systems in the row of rack computer systems, and throughthe exhaust air opening from the exhaust plenum to the ambientenvironment.
 12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the data centermodule does not include any air moving devices, such that: the at leastone row of rack computer systems do not include any air moving devices;and to direct a flow of ambient air from an ambient environment, throughthe intake air opening into the intake plenum, from the intake plenum tothe exhaust plenum through one or more rack computer systems in the rowof rack computer systems, and through the exhaust air opening from theexhaust plenum to the ambient environment, the data center module isconfigured to establish an air flow gradient between the at least oneintake air opening and the at least one exhaust air opening, through aninterior of the data center module, which induces the flow of ambientair.
 13. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the data center module ispre-fabricated and is in a form in accordance with at least one standardfor shipping containers.
 14. A method of providing computing capacity,comprising: positioning one or more pre-fabricated data center modulescomprising one or more rack computer systems at a data center site,wherein each of the one or more pre-fabricated data center modules doesnot include any active cooling system connections and is configured toprovide computing capacity independently of any active cooling system;coupling one or more pre-fabricated electrical modules to at least oneof the data center modules, wherein at least one of the electricalmodules is configured to provide one or more of electrical power supportand network communication support to at least one rack computer systemin one or more of the data center modules; and operating at least one ofthe one or more pre-fabricated data center modules at the site toprovide computing capacity, at the data center site, independently ofany active cooling system.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein: the oneor more pre-fabricated data center module comprises: a module housingwhich at least partially encompasses a module interior; at least one rowof rack computer systems extending between opposite side faces in themodule interior; at least one intake air opening configured to directair from an ambient environment into an intake plenum of the moduleinterior which is proximate to an intake end of the row of rack computersystems; and at least one exhaust air opening configured to direct air,from an exhaust plenum which is proximate to an exhaust end of the rowof rack computer systems, out of the module interior and into an ambientenvironment; and providing computing capacity, at the data center site,independently of any active cooling system comprises directing a flow ofambient air from an ambient environment, through the intake air openinginto the intake plenum, from the intake plenum to the exhaust plenumthrough one or more rack computer systems in the row of rack computersystems, and through the exhaust air opening from the exhaust plenum tothe ambient environment.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein: directinga flow of ambient air from an ambient environment, through the intakeair opening into the intake plenum, from the intake plenum to theexhaust plenum through one or more rack computer systems in the row ofrack computer systems, and through the exhaust air opening from theexhaust plenum to the ambient environment comprises: operating one ormore air moving devices included in one or more one rack computersystems in the at least one row of rack computer systems, to induce aflow of air through the one or more rack computer systems.
 17. Themethod of claim 14, wherein: the at least one intake air openingcomprises a vertically-oriented opening in a vertically-oriented face ofthe module housing and is configured to direct a lateral airflow fromthe ambient environment into the intake plenum of the module interiorwhich extends laterally along the intake end of each rack computersystem in the row of rack computer systems.
 18. The method of claim 14,comprising: installing the intake air opening in the module housing, theinstalling further comprising installing at least one filter assembly atleast partially across the installed intake air opening.
 19. The methodof claim 14, wherein: operating at least one of the one or morepre-fabricated data center modules at the data center site to providecomputing capacity, at the data center site, independently of any activecooling system comprises operating the at least one of the one or morepre-fabricated data center modules at the site to provide temporarycomputing capacity, concurrently with construction of a data center hallat the data center site; and the method further comprises decoupling theone or more pre-fabricated data center modules from the electricalmodule and removing the one or more pre-fabricated data center modulesfrom the data center site, based at least in part upon a determinationthat the data center hall is configured to provide computing capacity atthe data center site.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the modulehousing is in a form in accordance with at least one standard forshipping containers.